Following Chavarria’s success in Paris this January—where he staged an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza of a show—the designer announced yesterday the launch of a new line of classics. Designed to reach a wider audience while maintaining a premium standard, the collection marks a strategic expansion of the Willy Chavarria universe.
Dubbed BIG WILLY, the collection was first unveiled last month in a dedicated segment of the now-revered show and worn by a cast of characters existing entirely within Willy’s world. Foos Gone Wild (aka Lil Mr. E), Ricky Alvarez, Chino Salazar, and others dominated this portion of the presentation, set against the backdrop of an animated film. More than a debut, the segment offered a first glimpse into the world BIG WILLY inhabits—one that feels familiar, communal, and designed for real life.
The collection consists of ready-to-wear staples including khaki and black chino trousers, bomber jackets, and work shirts, all adorned with the new BIG WILLY logo. While opening the brand to a broader consumer base, Chavarria continues his exploration of class clichés through details such as magnetic security tags that double as pendants and removable sales tags.
“BIG WILLY is not an offshoot of the brand. It’s an extension—a side project of what I do,” Chavarria explained. “This collection is inspired by the clothes we wore as children and continue to wear every day. The ones that accompany us to work, on trips, with family, in our romantic relationships, and throughout daily life. BIG WILLY takes these familiar shapes and revisits them through the intentional use of higher-quality materials, refined craftsmanship, and silhouettes shaped by years of experience and rigour in the field of design.”
He continued: “I believe good design should not be reserved for a privileged few. BIG WILLY is my commitment to making the stylistic language of WILLY CHAVARRIA accessible at a more democratic price, without sacrificing quality, integrity, or soul. Each garment reflects the same values that guide my runway collections: respect for the body, attention to proportion, and clothing that conveys dignity.”
The BIG WILLY collection is available now at willychavarria.com.
